University of Washington Protest Sparks Federal Investigation Amid Antisemitism Concerns
The University of Washington (UW) finds itself under federal scrutiny following an anti-Israel protest on Monday that escalated into property damage and arrests, prompting concerns about antisemitism on campus. The Trump administration, through its Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, has launched an investigation into the incident, which saw students occupying an engineering building, setting dumpsters ablaze, and ultimately leading to the arrest of 30 individuals by police in riot gear.
The Task Force, established by President Trump in February, is actively reviewing the events on the Seattle campus, labeling them as an "eruption of anti-Semitic harassment and violence." While acknowledging the university’s prompt response and strong condemnation of the protesters’ actions, the Task Force emphasized the need for UW to take further steps to prevent future violence and ensure a safe and productive learning environment for Jewish students. The federal body expects UW to implement enforcement actions and policy changes to prevent a recurrence of the "chaotic scenes" witnessed on Monday.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon echoed the Task Force’s concerns, denouncing the "destructive behavior" of the protesters as "unacceptable." In a statement, McMahon asserted that the events at UW represented "yet another horrifying display of the antisemitic harassment and lawlessness which has characterized many of our nation’s elite campuses over the last several years." She vowed that the Task Force would not allow "so-called ‘protesters’" to disrupt campus life and deprive students, "especially Jewish students who live in fear on campus," of their equal opportunity protections and civil rights.
The protest centered on the university’s ties to Boeing, a major aerospace and defense manufacturer. Protesters occupied an engineering building for several hours, demanding that UW divest from the company, which has a long-standing relationship with the institution. Video footage from the scene showed several dumpsters engulfed in flames as police intervened to regain control of the building, which demonstrators had barricaded themselves inside. According to the university, the protesters, many of whom concealed their faces, blocked access to streets and building entrances.
The Students United for Palestinian Equality & Return, a student group at UW, claimed responsibility for organizing the protest. They asserted that Boeing funded the building to the tune of $10 million in 2022. The group accused UW of being a "direct partner in the genocide of the Palestinian people" through its partnership with Boeing. They claimed that Boeing manufactures weapons, including F-15 fighter jets, Apache helicopters, Hellfire missiles, and bombs, that Israel uses to "murder entire Palestinian families and destroy Palestinian homes, schools, hospitals, and mosques."
UW President Ana Mari Cauce has strongly condemned the protesters’ actions, describing the building occupation as "illegal" and "not peaceful." She also denounced the group’s statement celebrating the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians. In a statement, Cauce asserted that the university would "not be intimidated by this sort of horrific and destructive behavior" and would "not engage in dialogue with any group using or condoning such destructive tactics." She reaffirmed the university’s commitment to opposing antisemitism, racism, and all forms of bias to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
The investigation into the UW protest is part of a broader effort by the Task Force to address antisemitism on college campuses nationwide. The Task Force is currently investigating more than 60 universities for reportedly failing to adequately address antisemitism. Seven institutions – Harvard, Brown, Cornell, Northwestern, Columbia, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania – have already experienced funding reductions as a result of these investigations.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, "No institution that tolerates violence, harassment, or the open intimidation of Jewish students should expect to receive billions in taxpayer support." He added, "This isn’t about politics—it’s about whether a federally funded university is upholding the law, protecting civil rights, and fostering a safe environment for all students."
Following the building occupation, the protesters erected a banner renaming the building "Shaban Al-Dalou Building," in memory of a 19-year-old Palestinian man from Gaza who was killed during the bombing of the Al-Aqsa Hospital on October 14, 2024. Israel claimed that it targeted a Hamas command center embedded within the hospital facility.
The Students United for Palestinian Equality & Return is planning another protest on Thursday at 1 p.m. local time in front of Gerberding Hall on the UW campus in support of those arrested during Monday’s events. This planned protest raises concerns about potential further disruptions and the need for the university to maintain order while respecting the rights of students to express their views peacefully. The situation at UW remains tense as the federal investigation proceeds and the university grapples with balancing freedom of expression, campus safety, and the concerns of Jewish students and community members about antisemitism. The outcome of the investigation and the university’s response will likely have significant implications for other institutions facing similar challenges related to anti-Israel protests and concerns about antisemitism on campus.
